RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1023, 16 August 1883, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

SOUTH RAKAlA.—Tkstksdat.

(Before H. 0. S. Baddeley Esq, R,M.)

James McGill was brought up charged with forging a cheque. He pleaded not guilty.—John Tisch said he waa the licensee of the Alford Forest Hotel. On the 21st July prisoner came to the hotel and stayed two days. Before leaving he asked for his account, and witness gave him one for LI 12s. He said he had no money and wanted to give a cheque for L 5, which was refused. After some conversation one for L2 was accepted, prisoner receiving the change in silver. Witness presented the cheque at the bank and was told there were no funds, and that the prisoner had never had any account there. —The prisoner said that Mr Tisoh had known him for many years, and that he did not intend to defraud, him.-—John Ho w son said he was a clerk in the Bank of New Zealand, Christchurch; The cheque produced and marked a is the one presented at the bank. The prisoner had no account at the ; bank, to witness’s knowledge.—Constable Smart said prisoner was well known to the police, and /had been convicted, on a similar charge before.—Prisoner said ho was under/ the influence of dtfnk at the time.McGill waa then charged with obtaining money by false pretences by presenting a valueless cheque. Prisoner pleaded guilty.— ! Albert James Howell said he was licensee of the South Rakaia Hotel, and on the 26th of last month he gave prisoner L 5 ; in cash for the cheque produced.; Had enlj known prisoner throe days. Witness passed toe cheque through the Bank i Q the usual way, and it was, marked “no account."—John Howson gave similar evidence to that in ttid"previous case —Prisoner stated to the Bench that he had had. accounts at three banks. —His Worship said there was n6-doubt that prisoner was au old offender, and the police might have brought ■ the charges in a very different way. Un thefirst charge he would be imprisoned with hard labor for six mouths, and un the second;charge to four m nths’ hard labor. The sentences to be cumulative and to take effect from the expiration of the given at Ashburtea on Monday for, an rsaault on a child.